The city was founded in 1701 by Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, who was sent by the French government to establish a fur trading post. It became a major center for the fur trade and remained under French control until 1760 when it was ceded to the British during the Seven Years' War.
While the Dutch had a significant presence in New Netherland (which included present-day New York), they did not settle in the area that became Detroit.